Yreka Miners varsity girls softball team preview

Friday

Mar 8, 2013 at 1:42 PMMar 8, 2013 at 1:45 PM

Bill Choy

The Yreka Miners varsity softball team gets the season underway today with three games on tap.Yreka is set to take part in the two-day Anderson High tourney, which is being held in Redding, and opens the regular season versus fellow Siskiyou County team Etna, as well as competing against Orland and Quincy on Friday.The Lady Miners finished last season 13-13 overall and 2-6 in the Northern Athletic League (NAL).While young, with only two seniors on the roster, head coach Ken Dysert has been encouraged by what he has seen in practice so far and believes that this squad has shown that they have the talent and potential to be competitive in the always challenging NAL this season. Dysert said that while it will take time for such a young team to gel, the talent is in place for a solid season.A positive heading into the season is in the Miners depth at the pitching spot. Last year, Yreka had mainly only two players pitch, with than freshmanKendall Moser pitching the majority of games. This season, Moser is back along with four other girls who are listed as pitchers on the roster. Currently, Dysert said, there is competition for the top pitching spot. Moser and varsity newcomers in sophomore Tanaya Wilson and freshman MacKenzie Pellizzer are all in the mix to see a good chunk of playing time in the starting pitching spot this season. Dysert said that all three pitchers have done well and he hopes they will keep pushing one another to become better pitchers."I want them to compete all year long," he said.Dysert said that it's nice to know he has three pitchers that can all pitch in the top spot. All three are also good hitters, Dysert added. The Miner bats look to be solid, Dysert said, with a good combination of girls who can hit for average and others who can swing the bats for power. And, Dysert likes the speed of the team, which he said should help on defense this year, especially in the outfield. Dysert said they are working closely with the players this season individually on defense during practice and hopes the extra attention will pay off. Key returners include Taylor Brown, who is a threat with her bat. Last year she was an all-league selection and Brianna Ruleas who is solid both on defense playing third base and with her bat.Other key returners include Abbi Hansen, Chantell Fraser, Courtney Huston, and seniors Emily Wagy and Riva Martin. There are seven juniors, three sophomores and two freshman on the team this season.Yreka had a scrimmage against Etna on the road on Tuesday. Dysert said while there were things they did well, he and the team know they have things to work on they need to make sure they do the fundamentals of the game well and keep errors to a minimum.After missing the playoffs last year, Dysert said that he and the team certainly have their sights set on a return to postseason play this year. "Our expectations are to make the playoffs," he said.Dysert said the NAL will be tough this year with defending league champ Anderson the team to beat. Corning also appear to again be solid. Lassen, which joins the NAL this season, replacing West Valley, is another strong team, Dysert said.